Geneva from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Geneva, when to go, the visa for British travellers and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 21 Oct 2026.
Plan my Geneva tripDay to day in Geneva, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | £42 | £49 |
| A balanced mix | £82 | £90 |
| Mostly restaurants | £107 | £114 |
- Local transport: about £7 a day. Taxi: £6 to start, then £2.90 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £19 a day for food.
- Tourist tax: about £4 a person a night, paid at your stay.
- Tipping: about 5% where service is good.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: livingcost.org, ge.ch, en.wikivoyage.org; in GBP at today's rate.
When to go
3°F
4°M
8°A
13°M
17°J
21°J
24°A
23°S
19°O
15°N
8°D
4°
The most pleasant months are July and September. February is the driest month (73 mm of rain) and May the wettest (111 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit Switzerland, place by placeCompare: Italy or Switzerland · France or Switzerland
Visa for British travellers
No visa needed for a holiday
Official source: gov.uk, checked 2026-10-01. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Geneva
CERN Science Gatewaymuseum · half a dayTram 18 from Cornavin; free entry, guided tours booked on site.
Jet d'Eaulandmark · a couple of hoursWalk the jetty right up to it if you do not mind getting wet; lit at night in summer.
St Pierre Cathedral and towerschurch · a couple of hoursCalvin's church; the archaeological site underneath and the tower climb are the extras worth paying for.
Palais des Nations (United Nations)landmark · a couple of hoursGuided tours only; bring your passport. The Broken Chair sculpture stands outside.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museummuseum · a couple of hoursNext to the Palais des Nations; combine the two in one morning.
- Old Town (Vieille Ville)old town · a couple of hours
Steep cobbled streets around Place du Bourg-de-Four; Maison Tavel is free.
- Salève cable carmountain · half a day
Bus 8 to Veyrier then cross into France; bring your passport.
- Bains des Pâquisbeach · a couple of hours
Lake swimming and a sauna on the jetty; the cheapest fondue in town in winter.
Parc des Bastions and the Reformation Wallpark · a couple of hoursGiant chessboards and the 100 m wall of Reformers below the Old Town.
- Lake Geneva paddle-steamer cruiseexperience · half a day
CGN boats from the Pâquis and Jardin Anglais piers; Swiss Travel Pass holders ride free.
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Geneva cost?
Food and getting around come to about £49 a person a day eating street food, £90 with a balanced mix and £114 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Geneva?
The most pleasant months are July and September. February is the driest month (73 mm of rain) and May the wettest (111 mm); daytime highs run from 3 to 24 °C over the year.
Do British travellers need a visa for Switzerland?
No visa needed for a holiday. Checked on gov.uk on 2026-10-01; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Geneva?
CERN Science Gateway, Jet d'Eau, St Pierre Cathedral and towers, Palais des Nations (United Nations), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum.
Your whole Geneva trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
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